tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10824564735774811732015-12-31T12:14:54.136-06:00Susan Windsor Fine ArtSusan Windsorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098533498749471773noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082456473577481173.post-13842638190155187742015-04-30T20:12:00.002-05:002015-04-30T20:12:31.684-05:00Super Fast Painting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/2M3_3XI6rpU/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2M3_3XI6rpU?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br />I've only done one now, and I think I'm going to be addicted to these videos. :) After quite a number of requests from customers, I figured out how to get my little camcorder positioned where you can watch me paint. Feel free to click the link above to watch my little sandpiper come to life (well, on paper anyhow). ;) I'll make sure to keep posting as I put new ones together! What do you think?Susan Windsorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098533498749471773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082456473577481173.post-27447179372008449372012-10-09T20:04:00.002-05:002012-10-09T20:04:35.342-05:00Christmas Time Every Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LIb1zpsOiAU/UGMLk8xwNjI/AAAAAAAAAJs/a3ww51HZcUs/s1600/group-of-cards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LIb1zpsOiAU/UGMLk8xwNjI/AAAAAAAAAJs/a3ww51HZcUs/s400/group-of-cards.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />At my last full time job as a graphic designer, I had the privilege of designing a company Christmas card every year. The best part was that my boss liked my watercolors and often encouraged me to do a new painting for the card. They planned ahead so much in their printing that I was usually working on new cards in July and August.<br /><br />I left that job when I got married and moved to the Dallas area 4 and half years ago. But after 10 years of painting a Christmas scene almost every summer, I felt the need to continue the tradition on my own. The past few years though, I've painted more than one a year.<br /><br />This past summer was no different. I added 2 new paintings to my Christmas collection. A <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/108449685/cardinal-holly-watercolor-christmas-card" target="_blank">cardinal in holly leaves</a> and a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/108450374/snowflake-watercolor-christmas-cards-set" target="_blank">snowflake</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kIi7MsFmjNY/UGMMNDESMyI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/wlWHmjugvxc/s1600/cardinal-upclose-upload.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kIi7MsFmjNY/UGMMNDESMyI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/wlWHmjugvxc/s320/cardinal-upclose-upload.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zuIcAkDPtXE/UGMMEuxwZsI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/BntpGKUmj7k/s1600/snowflake-low-res-upload.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zuIcAkDPtXE/UGMMEuxwZsI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/BntpGKUmj7k/s320/snowflake-low-res-upload.jpg" width="228" /></a>&nbsp;</div><br /><br />Now if only I could get my personal cards done so early instead of waiting until the first week of December to get them ready! :)Susan Windsorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098533498749471773noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082456473577481173.post-52834478121933928182012-09-25T20:48:00.004-05:002012-09-25T21:30:11.369-05:00A Bit AbstractStudying about art in high school and college, I didn't like (read "didn't understand") abstract art. Maybe I feared it because I didn't get it. Therefore I said that I just didn't like it or it wasn't "my style." Now, I'm not going to try to explain abstract paintings here in this short post...don't know that I could. But I do want to help encourage an open mind to a different way of viewing this type of painting. <br /><br />Out of nowhere it seems lately I have been drawn to abstract paintings. I notice them when I come across those pages on Etsy. I notice them when we're out and about, when they're hung in restaurants and stores. The more I've seen them, the more it's made me want to just try it. What I think I've been drawn to is the <i>mood</i> they evoke. Is it dreamy? Happy? Somber? I like trying to squint to see if I can find a tree or a building or a face in what was painted. I love it when I can really find a painting so interesting that it's hard to look away.<br /><br />So why not jump in? What I decided to do recently was just go with a couple of the colors that had been of interest to me. <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/108810537/abstract-watercolor-cityscape-fine-art" target="_blank">My first try</a> was in black, brown, and a touch of gold. A big step from my bright <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/109912821/fuschia-flower-watercolor-giclee-fine" target="_blank">florals</a> and my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/100866477/woodland-animal-watercolor-card-set" target="_blank">baby animals</a>. At first this cityscape was only splashes of gray and tan. I told my dad it was a cityscape. Honest man that he is, he mentioned that he liked the colors but couldn't see "city." I added more definite shapes to my wanna-be buildings and for fun, I added some gold paint to the sky. (I LOVE gold watercolor paint, by the way! I just wish the scanner could pick it up better. :)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-noZJQhliiuY/UGC4U5270iI/AAAAAAAAAJM/iZ4oyUxI9e4/s1600/il_fullxfull.372860368_e7wq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-noZJQhliiuY/UGC4U5270iI/AAAAAAAAAJM/iZ4oyUxI9e4/s400/il_fullxfull.372860368_e7wq.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />Well, a simple post on Facebook showed me that there are others out there who also appreciate the abstract style! What an encouragement to keep trying it!<br /><br />For Fall, I painted a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/105572577/fall-pumpkin-watercolor-print" target="_blank">pumpkin</a>. I love pumpkins, don't get me wrong. But looking forward to seeing real Fall colors when we visit family in Virgina next month, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/110154051/abstract-watercolor-landscape-autumn" target="_blank">this is what I picture</a>. Maybe I need a new one with a few mountains added though. ;)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qjSSmZRG1oQ/UGC4bLXiSDI/AAAAAAAAAJU/tP2t41-G7e0/s1600/il_570xN.377682160_masc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qjSSmZRG1oQ/UGC4bLXiSDI/AAAAAAAAAJU/tP2t41-G7e0/s400/il_570xN.377682160_masc.jpg" width="317" /></a></div><br /><br />Someone at church on Sunday told me that my abstracts are "throwing him for a loop." :) I like that. I don't want to be a one-trick pony. Keep 'em guessing, right? What next? I'm thinking a winter scene. Keep posted. Susan Windsorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098533498749471773noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082456473577481173.post-83218142403492720782012-06-17T20:50:00.001-05:002012-08-01T09:29:31.776-05:00Craft Fairs!Hey there! Remember me? Well, it's been a long time since I last posted. I have been super busy! May was an exciting month for me as I participated in my very first crafts fairs! Yup that was fairS, plural. I was in a small church fair about a half hour from my home on May 5. After all that preparation, it turned out to be pretty small. The organizers seemed to have everything in order. Where it didn't work was in the advertising and signage outside the church (minor detail). We just didn't have many people show up! But it really ended up being a perfect first show for me. With all the downtime, I chatted with many of the other vendors and got ideas about other shows and different kinds of table setups. It was such a nice group of vendors who were all willing to share ideas with each other, especially with us newbies.<br /><br />Here's my first fair table setup:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--c94EuNL9xg/T95Ln0GmrDI/AAAAAAAAAIs/EnTzLVMhTOU/s1600/102_4809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--c94EuNL9xg/T95Ln0GmrDI/AAAAAAAAAIs/EnTzLVMhTOU/s400/102_4809.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />I tried to get as much of my product visible and open on the table. I had a small old suitcase (in the center), where I tried to have paintings propped up for folks to flip through. It ended up being an awkward reach though. I did receive some nice feedback and gave my card out to quite a number of folks. I made a little over my booth fee, which paid for my gas and lunch to get out there. But of most value were the ideas for a new setup that I received from some of the other vendors.<br /><br />For instance, another vendor was admiring some of the work on my table and just before she walked away, she noticed the book of portrait paintings (left corner). She said, "THAT'S your money maker." She then suggested I print out some of the portraits I've done of people, pets, and houses and get them up at eye level with a note saying, "ask for details on commission portraits." I had other ideas from vendors too that seemed really encouraging. So, regardless of how much (or little) money I made, this first fair was my training for the second fair three weeks later.<br /><br />Then came the Etsy Denton Summer Bazaar. Oh. My. Goodness. Before I get to that, here's my table setup:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmrtBzI2r5Q/T96IjxOiPJI/AAAAAAAAAJA/YNQ3aEweITA/s1600/102_4811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="335" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmrtBzI2r5Q/T96IjxOiPJI/AAAAAAAAAJA/YNQ3aEweITA/s400/102_4811.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></div><br />I got my new banner in time to hang in front of the table for this show. Although, I'm not sure how many folks saw it. I brought along a Japanese screen where I hung a number of paintings behind the table. I used a new basket (my husband found it for me at Home Goods) to keep the cards a little more upright and less likely to slip onto the floor. I ditched the suitcase idea and my dad made a stand on which I propped some Christmas cards and 8x10 prints. On a side note: I couldn't believe how many folks buy Christmas cards in May! I was so glad I brought them. :) Anyhow, these organizers sure knew what they were doing. I heard this was only their third show to organize, which was surprising!<br /><br />The Etsy Denton Bazaar: We vendors were given an opportunity to participate in a coupon book for the show. The first 30 people in line would get a coupon book for freebies from participating sellers. We were still setting up and heard about the line that wrapped around the building! Then the doors opened. I waited. waited. Then the mob gradually made its way back to my corner... It was non-stop customers from 11 a.m. when we opened until about 2:45. We closed at 4. For that last hour I still had a number of customers though! The organizer got on the microphone to let everyone know we were shutting down, and I had a woman run back to my booth to buy the beagle portrait. It was AMAZING. I was exhausted but very satisfied with it all.<br /><br />I had heard about a magic number to call a craft fair a success. Some folks say a successful show is when you make 10 times your booth fee. I almost made it to that (mine was more like 8x)! It was so fun. It was so encouraging to have people buy my work who truly appreciated it. It was so encouraging having numerous friends and coworkers come out to support me. Some even purchased from me!<br /><br />I could never have done it, were it not for my supportive and encouraging husband. He's amazing! I'm so grateful also for all my supportive friends.<br /><br />Now it's the month of June and I thought I'd take a rest from all the excitement. Well....then I found out about a couple more commission paintings I get to do. :)<br /><br />But for any of you who have a craft to sell, I strongly recommend trying a craft fair! Especially if you're a people person, you will have fun. It's such a learning experience and it's so great meeting the people who enjoy what you do. The next Etsy Denton show is November 3. If I get in to that one too, anyone want to come see me?Susan Windsorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098533498749471773noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082456473577481173.post-77136358830503789852012-04-03T20:37:00.004-05:002012-04-03T21:00:50.780-05:00He is risen!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mBCsLESNA_I/T3uo4cVm7HI/AAAAAAAAAIk/Q52MnU1uGFk/s1600/Empty-tomb.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 262px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mBCsLESNA_I/T3uo4cVm7HI/AAAAAAAAAIk/Q52MnU1uGFk/s320/Empty-tomb.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727357038764682354" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:130%;"><i>"He is not here; he is risen, just as he said" (Matthew 28:6).</i></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;">I'm excited to be part of an arts group that was recently started at my church. The purpose of the group is to find ways to use our God-given abilities in fine art, poetry, music, video, etc. to encourage the church members. This latest assignment was fun for me. This Friday, Good Friday, we will have a room at the church available for prayer time. Our group is in charge of supplying art, written words, and music to this room to help encourage the believers there to focus on Christ and the true meaning of His sacrifice on the Cross.</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;">For my contribution, I chose to do a painting of the empty tomb. It was truly amazing that Christ died for me the horrible death that He did for the remission of my sins. But it didn't end there! He conquered death by His resurrection! True victory! So the excitement of Easter morning is there because my Savior lives and defeated sin and death! </span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div>Susan Windsorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098533498749471773noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082456473577481173.post-36153935167608705822012-03-14T09:06:00.003-05:002012-03-14T09:14:18.859-05:00Wild Critters<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bPHH1JlVKFo/T2Cl_Tjq5tI/AAAAAAAAAIY/nvJOCJXn4Ww/s320/Animal-set-online.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719754033760757458" /><div>Painting, painting, painting. :) I guess it keeps me out of trouble! Well, I wanted to share what I've been up to over the last few weeks. After doing a couple pet portraits, I started to get requests for some wild animal paintings. Some of those requests were from you, fine readers. :) First I painted the bunny rabbit, then the owl, fawn, hedgehog, and squirrel! </div><div>I combined them as a set for the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/94483562/woodland-animal-watercolor-card-set">larger notecards in my Etsy shop</a>. Some of the original paintings are available for sale too! What do you think? Next, I think I'd like to start getting ready for the summer (I know, it's not even spring!). Any suggestions? I was thinking about seashells, fish, jellyfish, starfish... Any other ideas? Thanks!</div><div> </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span></div><br /><br /></div>Susan Windsorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098533498749471773noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082456473577481173.post-3860184676448768202012-02-06T20:03:00.005-06:002012-02-06T20:16:05.127-06:00Shih-tzu Portrait<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z0lNM404D8A/TzCIIXWnAII/AAAAAAAAAIA/zxYwLkDwFOc/s1600/Toby-the-dog-online.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 255px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z0lNM404D8A/TzCIIXWnAII/AAAAAAAAAIA/zxYwLkDwFOc/s320/Toby-the-dog-online.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706210405167595650" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Yay! Another dog portrait. A shih-tzu this time. :) Instead of a step-by-step of how I painted this one, I thought I'd show what I worked from. Sometimes it's a random snapshot a person had lying around. With pets especially, as long as the eyes aren't too over exposed, I can often work with it. <div><br /><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z8hbSK7GOkA/TzCIDOAElNI/AAAAAAAAAH0/wmm-zfc74YA/s320/Toby-the-dog-photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706210316757800146" /></div><div>What do you think? I hear there are lots of shih-tzu-loving people out there. Should I print the new painting onto cards to sell in <a href="http://www.susanwindsor.etsy.com">my Etsy shop</a>? I think I may need to start painting other animals too. What animals would you like to see painted and printed onto cards? Maybe I should take a stab at something different! </div></div>Susan Windsorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098533498749471773noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082456473577481173.post-49563144212536013892012-01-14T15:35:00.010-06:002012-01-14T15:45:34.261-06:00Portraits Galore!Hi Friends!<div><br /></div><div>It's been a while. Well, as you can see below, I've been busy! The whole Christmas season kept me working on one commission piece after another. If that wasn't enough, I wanted to give a few portraits as gifts too. Enjoy and thanks for looking at what I've been up to. :)</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gFZfxEORfYI/TxH2ObTueOI/AAAAAAAAAHo/nQw_jcXaluQ/s1600/Labradoodle.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 224px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gFZfxEORfYI/TxH2ObTueOI/AAAAAAAAAHo/nQw_jcXaluQ/s320/Labradoodle.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697605731309484258" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><u>My first official pet portrait of a labradoodle</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span></div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NcIgyKUO5VA/TxH2LN9ZQdI/AAAAAAAAAHc/2OcM4chWhew/s1600/spofford_house.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NcIgyKUO5VA/TxH2LN9ZQdI/AAAAAAAAAHc/2OcM4chWhew/s320/spofford_house.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697605676186550738" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><u>I love doing these house portraits!</u></span></div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_3I154z-VY/TxH2HGh2NtI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/uvWj2LAjU1M/s1600/Hunting-boys.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 253px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_3I154z-VY/TxH2HGh2NtI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/uvWj2LAjU1M/s320/Hunting-boys.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697605605472483026" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><u>The hunting boys! Painting camo on a green background was tricky. But I think it worked!</u></span></div><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aqHZ0LQZ1j4/TxH2EfHoqQI/AAAAAAAAAHE/pJJPl1tNflA/s1600/H%2526A-painting.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 250px; " src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aqHZ0LQZ1j4/TxH2EfHoqQI/AAAAAAAAAHE/pJJPl1tNflA/s320/H%2526A-painting.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697605560533821698" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><u>A little different than my normal watercolors, this acrylic special request was a hit! </u></span></div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jh4iFXGD16M/TxH2A0kHiyI/AAAAAAAAAG4/mdclMNbrFEE/s1600/4-girls.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jh4iFXGD16M/TxH2A0kHiyI/AAAAAAAAAG4/mdclMNbrFEE/s320/4-girls.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697605497570954018" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><u>"Little girls, little girls..." Does anyone else remember that song from "Annie"? :)</u></span></div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IB6f9xLgTFE/TxH18UJnRSI/AAAAAAAAAGs/h8k0GhA5NRI/s1600/3-kids.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IB6f9xLgTFE/TxH18UJnRSI/AAAAAAAAAGs/h8k0GhA5NRI/s320/3-kids.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697605420150375714" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><u>From an o l d photo from the early 80s of my husband and his siblings.</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><u>My mother-in-law loved it!</u></span></div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zGmkVFCpJf0/TxH120JUx0I/AAAAAAAAAGg/yctccZYv8KI/s1600/Layla.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zGmkVFCpJf0/TxH120JUx0I/AAAAAAAAAGg/yctccZYv8KI/s320/Layla.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697605325659883330" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><u>Sweet girl! </u></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><u>She truly is precious and</u></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><u> I loved painting this. </u></span></div><br /><div><br /></div></div>Susan Windsorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098533498749471773noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082456473577481173.post-61414322199499560132011-09-30T21:51:00.011-05:002011-09-30T22:15:44.866-05:00An early Christmas present for you!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q-7E9zqtQ3Y/ToaF0vW5tkI/AAAAAAAAAGY/jKH68HsnVas/s1600/SusanWindsorGiftTags1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q-7E9zqtQ3Y/ToaF0vW5tkI/AAAAAAAAAGY/jKH68HsnVas/s400/SusanWindsorGiftTags1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658357122949822018" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">To celebrate another year of Christmas cards, I wanted to give you some printable Christmas gift tags! I hope this helps when you get to wrapping your gifts this year. Just click on the image above to open in a new window. Then right click to save it to your computer hard drive. Open it and print it to fit an 8.5x11. :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>And here are my final two additions to the Christmas card collection now available in my <a href="http://susanwindsor.etsy.com/">Etsy shop</a>. <div><br /><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-roF_v_zSJDk/ToaCCcJD-AI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/f_ZIM5CBJak/s400/star_over_bethlehem_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658352960263157762" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TgvRsKJMilY/ToaB37IlaTI/AAAAAAAAAGI/V20MGZ8S5yg/s400/mary_joseph_5x7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658352779604093234" /></div><div><br /><div>Merry Christmas! Enjoy celebrating the Savior!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Susan Windsorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098533498749471773noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082456473577481173.post-88775145301975728572011-09-14T16:41:00.008-05:002011-09-14T17:12:20.084-05:00Book Cover Illustrating<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1xJHJdTxkXU/TnEjfsQSejI/AAAAAAAAAF4/g7g6prBUXIs/s1600/Seranfyll-cover.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1xJHJdTxkXU/TnEjfsQSejI/AAAAAAAAAF4/g7g6prBUXIs/s320/Seranfyll-cover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652338034689079858" border="0" /></a>Recently I had the privilege of designing a book cover for the up-and-coming author, Christina Daley, for her new book <span style="font-style: italic;">Seranfyll</span>. The style is quite a bit different than my normal watercolors, but it was a fun challenge.<br /><br />Here's a brief synopsis of the book:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">For the first time in her life, Rain has a choice to make.</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The thirteen-year-old slave girl lives in the country</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">of Yoan, where slaves aren't allowed proper names,</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">let alone anything else. After being sold by a gambler</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">and bought by a thief, she's freed by an eccentric</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">young noble, about whom many rumors abound.</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Some say his manor is haunted, his horse can fly,</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">and that he's actually a devil.</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Now that she's free, Rain must decide what she will</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">do with that new freedom. Her choices will lead her</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">to new friends and unexpected adventures about</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">choices, consequences, and what it really means</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">to be free.</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">(Ages 10+) Available in ebook and print formats on </span><a style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);" href="http://www.amazon.com/Seranfyll-ebook/dp/B00508VT3Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1316037387&amp;sr=8-2">Amazon.com</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">.</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Visit </span><a style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);" href="http://christinadaley.blogspot.com/">christinadaley.blogspot.com</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> for more information.</span><br /><br />I love the challenge of the different. I'm excited too as I just learned I'll be illustrating her next book cover which will come out soon! I'll make sure to keep you posted. Or you can just follow her blog (posted above) and you'll find out as soon as it's ready.Susan Windsorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098533498749471773noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082456473577481173.post-59705586042184765642011-08-13T14:09:00.007-05:002011-08-13T14:50:21.546-05:00Resurrecting the OldSeveral years ago I saw in a <span style="font-style: italic;">DIY</span> magazine how someone wallpapered a room with pages from an old dictionary. What a great idea for an office I thought. I went right over to Half Price Books and found two perfect old dictionaries.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0ZOMdEoW-so/TkbPMw-4qrI/AAAAAAAAAFY/-3GVgKAM2cc/s1600/img_wallgallerylg_ss1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0ZOMdEoW-so/TkbPMw-4qrI/AAAAAAAAAFY/-3GVgKAM2cc/s400/img_wallgallerylg_ss1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640423401542167218" border="0" /></a>
<br />Working at the time in a facility that had a press, I brought my books into the bindery area and one of the guys used a huge cutter and cut off the spines for me. I was ready to wallpaper. Then I bought my first house on my own as a single lady. Then I met my now husband. Then we got married. Then I moved. :) I held onto those dictionary pages, because I knew it was still a great idea. Then a couple years later I had a baby. I wasn't planning on going with a dictionary page wall for his room (although it would surely make him the smartest baby around ;). So the dictionary pages went back on a shelf.
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<br />Then I came across some old illustrations of mine. A project back in high school that I started was illustrating perfume bottles. The light bulb came on! Why not marry the two? So I put those pages in my printer, and I'm now selling dictionary page prints of my perfume bottles and a couple other watercolors. I'm having so much fun! I love the idea of "upcycling." I didn't have to go buy new paper. And I've got enough to equal about 2 reams. You can see those listings <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SusanWindsor?section_id=10272309">on my etsy shop</a>.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m2xFwoDBeL0/TkbPkXB8CaI/AAAAAAAAAFg/YDILFcKmqlw/s1600/DictionaryPages-for-blog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m2xFwoDBeL0/TkbPkXB8CaI/AAAAAAAAAFg/YDILFcKmqlw/s400/DictionaryPages-for-blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640423806892509602" border="0" /></a>
<br />And I still have these perfume bottle illustrations. So now I have a new set of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/79697886/perfume-bottle-cards-set-of-4">greeting cards</a> too!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hTSI_ldD99M/TkbQPv3l3fI/AAAAAAAAAFo/IuF7QjVPVeI/s1600/Perfum-cards-for-blog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 193px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hTSI_ldD99M/TkbQPv3l3fI/AAAAAAAAAFo/IuF7QjVPVeI/s400/Perfum-cards-for-blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640424552294374898" border="0" /></a>What a great gift for that girly friend who is so good at sending handwritten notes.
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<br />Don't you love the creative process? I'm grateful to the Creator God who gives us these little tastes of fun. :)
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<br />Susan Windsorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098533498749471773noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082456473577481173.post-57810868531353070192011-07-21T21:00:00.004-05:002011-07-21T21:07:56.453-05:00Warm Mittens for a Cold Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rgGuHDE6ksg/TijbDs8HvDI/AAAAAAAAAFI/vgx7XmrKU14/s1600/Warm_mittens-online.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rgGuHDE6ksg/TijbDs8HvDI/AAAAAAAAAFI/vgx7XmrKU14/s320/Warm_mittens-online.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631992190676220978" border="0" /></a><br />Okay, I know it's July, and unless you're in the southern hemisphere this time of year, you're not trying to keep warm. Well, really I'm just starting to plan ahead for Christmas! My "Mittens" painting is just the first of a few more I hope to complete this month. I'm getting more and more excited about the paintings I have coming! Below are several of my paintings I had available in cards last year on <a href="http://www.susanwindsor.etsy.com/">www.susanwindsor.etsy.com</a>. I'll probably reprint them along with the new ones I'm working on. Stay tuned.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tacLKI12rY4/TijbXseTBHI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/i6mJ4q4zl7I/s1600/2010-Christmas-Cards.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tacLKI12rY4/TijbXseTBHI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/i6mJ4q4zl7I/s400/2010-Christmas-Cards.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631992534148514930" border="0" /></a>Susan Windsorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098533498749471773noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082456473577481173.post-50382816576719910242011-07-16T21:30:00.003-05:002011-07-16T21:33:16.936-05:00My Own Mini Polaroids<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n4oYOrZqE00/TiJJq3NK9fI/AAAAAAAAAEU/WPSqrpAMrBo/s1600/102_4351.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n4oYOrZqE00/TiJJq3NK9fI/AAAAAAAAAEU/WPSqrpAMrBo/s320/102_4351.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630143484889069042" border="0" /></a><br />Here they are! They're not perfect, but I love them! Such a cute fun way to put family photos up. My sister is visiting this weekend and we're still working on these tonight now that the kiddos are in bed. I've got to get back and do some more! :)Susan Windsorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098533498749471773noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082456473577481173.post-69477326693339019372011-07-10T20:38:00.011-05:002011-07-10T20:53:23.985-05:00A Lesson in Watercolors<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rtwfcCqvfN8/ThpUtGAtJJI/AAAAAAAAADU/nzrKK2qQmJw/s1600/Luke-at-the-Beach.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rtwfcCqvfN8/ThpUtGAtJJI/AAAAAAAAADU/nzrKK2qQmJw/s320/Luke-at-the-Beach.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627903818037273746" border="0" /></a><br />Our family went to the beach back in May and we had so much fun! Of course, it was all new for my little guy. He loved sitting on the wet sand and running his fingers through it. That is, until the wave came and got him wet up to his waist. Then he was done! Thankfully, my sister got a number of photos of him first. I decided this would be my first painting of him. I'm sure there will be many more in the years to come. But this was a fun first.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0o2UTXaGfNE/ThpU2SAffvI/AAAAAAAAADc/T0X_qGTFDMo/s1600/102_4185.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0o2UTXaGfNE/ThpU2SAffvI/AAAAAAAAADc/T0X_qGTFDMo/s320/102_4185.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627903975876427506" border="0" /></a><br />When starting out with most of my watercolor paintings, especially portraits, I pencil in the most important details. Here I make sure that proportion and shape are right. In this process I have both my pencil and my trusty eraser working overtime until the outlines are just the way I want them. A lot of watercolor artists don't like their pencil showing through their paint. To me it adds an interesting dimension. So I keep it.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xJuyql3XxiA/ThpWYq3HR6I/AAAAAAAAAEM/gmv0dyGj8XM/s1600/102_4188.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 209px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xJuyql3XxiA/ThpWYq3HR6I/AAAAAAAAAEM/gmv0dyGj8XM/s320/102_4188.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627905666175158178" border="0" /></a><br />After your initial sketch, you want to identify the parts of your painting that will remain white. Those are the areas I avoid before adding my first layers of paint (see next step). Masking fluid can also be applied at this point to help you avoid those areas a little better.<br /><br />One thing I never realized before working in watercolor is that there can be many layers of paint in each painting. Layers? I thought that was only in oil or acrylic. In watercolor, the appropriate term (I think) is "glaze." There are many glazes you add to each painting. As a graphic designer for so many years using photoshop, I think in layers. So that's the term I use.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0-yyhbJiWTw/ThpVEAVCdgI/AAAAAAAAADk/7chwho62GZ0/s1600/102_4310.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0-yyhbJiWTw/ThpVEAVCdgI/AAAAAAAAADk/7chwho62GZ0/s320/102_4310.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627904211648935426" border="0" /></a><br />I start with the medium to light color washed over each area. Let the area dry, and then keep adding more and more layers. I work from the lightest color washes to the darker details.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5EOkUIgIPDE/ThpVTVNudhI/AAAAAAAAAD8/Ir-Y1yKBwK8/s1600/102_4320.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5EOkUIgIPDE/ThpVTVNudhI/AAAAAAAAAD8/Ir-Y1yKBwK8/s320/102_4320.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627904474953446930" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YTAdNUUIMEE/ThpVKXSkj0I/AAAAAAAAADs/pjZOkrDI8qY/s1600/102_4316.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YTAdNUUIMEE/ThpVKXSkj0I/AAAAAAAAADs/pjZOkrDI8qY/s320/102_4316.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627904320891817794" border="0" /></a>Here I'm getting into the nitty gritty of the shadow's in my little guy's face. I probably could have used a smaller brush at this point. But I find myself so engrossed in what I'm doing at times that I don't stop to switch brushes!<br /><br />I keep adding more washes of varying shades of blue until the sand he's sitting on looks truly wet. An important part in this particular painting that I had to watch out for was all those blues and golds. We all know that yellow and blue make green. So it's important for me not to get ahead of myself and add the opposing color while the previous one is still wet. If I hurry it, the next thing you know the wet sand will be a color that I wouldn't want my kid sitting on. :)<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rInQ56pSg_c/ThpVOTPKyeI/AAAAAAAAAD0/k-i8LK-8iO4/s1600/102_4318.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rInQ56pSg_c/ThpVOTPKyeI/AAAAAAAAAD0/k-i8LK-8iO4/s320/102_4318.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627904388523280866" border="0" /></a><br />Every painting of mine gets to that point where I think I could maybe possibly add just one more detail. But when I know I'm close to finishing, I'll walk away for an hour, sometimes a day. If I come back to it and like it, then I sign it. Once I sign it, I'm done.... no touching up any more once that signature is on the painting. This painting was fully dry when I came back to it, so I pulled out my mat cutter and framed it. Why waste time? I hung it on the wall in time for when my husband got home from work.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cjPGMFdeU54/ThpVuBCwATI/AAAAAAAAAEE/ozjwwf-16Qc/s1600/102_4329.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cjPGMFdeU54/ThpVuBCwATI/AAAAAAAAAEE/ozjwwf-16Qc/s320/102_4329.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627904933395169586" border="0" /></a><br />Now on to Christmas card paintings. Yes, Christmas. I know it's July. One has to plan ahead around here.Susan Windsorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098533498749471773noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082456473577481173.post-38213259822281129042011-07-05T22:05:00.002-05:002011-07-05T22:08:56.901-05:00Mini Polaroid Magnets<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n6KjtXaGqkg/ThPRm9H5uqI/AAAAAAAAADM/St4iwl_JKrc/s1600/IMG_12921.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n6KjtXaGqkg/ThPRm9H5uqI/AAAAAAAAADM/St4iwl_JKrc/s320/IMG_12921.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626070826688821922" border="0" /></a><br />This is one of those "things that moves me at the moment" and nothing to do with watercolor painting. I came across this super fun way to make the cutest family snapshot magnets. Here's the link to Jennifer Kirk's blog: <a href="http://www.ambrosiagirl.com/blog/tiny-polaroid-magnets/">Tiny Polaroid Magnets</a> Let me know if any of you do these too! I'll post photos of mine once I get them done.Susan Windsorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098533498749471773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082456473577481173.post-46144606269570208892011-07-02T15:18:00.003-05:002011-07-02T15:21:32.334-05:00I really know I need to move on to the painting I started of my little boy, but....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nway5uagI_4/Tg99We7rW1I/AAAAAAAAADE/F2BDhX4NH8A/s1600/General_store_held.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nway5uagI_4/Tg99We7rW1I/AAAAAAAAADE/F2BDhX4NH8A/s320/General_store_held.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624852284823001938" border="0" /></a><br />Another ACEO! :) Driving through the mountains in North Carolina about four years ago, we came across this <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/77074458/general-store-aceo-original-watercolor">old general store</a>. The photo I took originally showed it covered in overgrown brush and boarded up. In painting it, I tried to imagine how it might have looked years ago.<br /><br />Okay, maybe tomorrow I'll get back to the painting of my little guy.Susan Windsorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098533498749471773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082456473577481173.post-47665602559307158392011-06-29T22:06:00.003-05:002011-06-29T22:09:38.293-05:00ACEO obsessed?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U2lTpcFvmyw/TgvoUgq-4hI/AAAAAAAAAC8/BdWlHj3DElI/s1600/bicycle_in_country-held.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U2lTpcFvmyw/TgvoUgq-4hI/AAAAAAAAAC8/BdWlHj3DElI/s320/bicycle_in_country-held.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623843998767440402" border="0" /></a>I just keep painting! Here's <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/76924931/bicycle-ride-in-the-english-countryside">my latest ACEO</a> miniature painting. I love the challenge of giving the impression of detail on something so small. What should I paint next? Oh, maybe I should sleep some tonight. :)Susan Windsorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098533498749471773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082456473577481173.post-55736529510392316792011-06-25T19:41:00.004-05:002011-06-25T19:49:51.541-05:00ACEOs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zqIh1m1QR6c/TgaBPNz0ESI/AAAAAAAAAC0/v8G9JDIe6qY/s1600/ACEO.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 234px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zqIh1m1QR6c/TgaBPNz0ESI/AAAAAAAAAC0/v8G9JDIe6qY/s320/ACEO.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622323283223646498" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I'm so excited to have tried something new today! I started painting miniature watercolors. I painted them in the ACEO format. Art Cards, Editions, and Originals — 2.5" x 3.5". The purpose of painting these is for collectors. Some people collect baseball cards, and now folks are collecting miniature prints or original artwork! What a fun way to have an art collection without spending a fortune.<br /><br />The only consistent thing I found about ACEOs is the size. Otherwise they can be unlimited prints, limited edition prints, or original paintings. I think I'll start selling these original paintings at my shop www.susanwindsor.etsy.com and I'll also do some limited edition prints. Why not? My favorite part of doing these today was that I could finish several paintings in an hour. I feel like I accomplished something today! Hmmm... what to paint next? :)Susan Windsorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098533498749471773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082456473577481173.post-51841754004345925252011-06-22T21:50:00.000-05:002011-06-22T22:01:09.880-05:00A House Portrait<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VU0iK4GgByI/TgKr_40xs1I/AAAAAAAAACY/oHgYXD4Rpao/s1600/Brick-house.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VU0iK4GgByI/TgKr_40xs1I/AAAAAAAAACY/oHgYXD4Rpao/s320/Brick-house.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621244398985655122" border="0" /></a><br />What a thoughtful gift! A friend wanted to give a house portrait to his wife as this was the first house they bought together. So fun! Here is the result.<br /><br />What I loved about painting this house was how I painted the brick. Before starting, I felt the need to paint every individual brick. But that's not necessary at all and may even look pretty funny if done that way. So, instead I did an overall color on the background and came back in with several bricks in darker variations. You can tell it's a brick house without being hit over the head with that fact.<br /><br />Another part that was fun for me here was painting the crepe myrtle trees. Watercolor is so fun and you never know where it's going at first. I did a wet into wet technique here by dropping in the wet color of the flowers into the wet paint of the leaves. I think it gives a dreamy effect.<br /><br />What do you think?Susan Windsorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098533498749471773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082456473577481173.post-87746635891441985002011-06-22T21:39:00.000-05:002011-06-22T21:49:45.260-05:00A Family PortraitThis one was long in the making. My sister and her family took a photo like this about five years ago and wanted me to make a painting out of it. Unfortunately back then the photograph was of such a poor quality that it just wouldn't work. And then they went on a family vacation to Galveston, TX... Finally I had something to work with! See the progression of this painting:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2UgcyG2h8s4/TgKoswa4N1I/AAAAAAAAABw/a7N2OH-qJ98/s1600/bruner1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2UgcyG2h8s4/TgKoswa4N1I/AAAAAAAAABw/a7N2OH-qJ98/s320/bruner1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621240771777148754" border="0"></a><br />Starting to add some of the background color:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cj-TOA2pI8Q/TgKoy397qwI/AAAAAAAAAB4/Vff17Uy3Tp8/s1600/bruner2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cj-TOA2pI8Q/TgKoy397qwI/AAAAAAAAAB4/Vff17Uy3Tp8/s320/bruner2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621240876882438914" border="0"></a><br />Oops. I got so engrossed in this that I forgot to stop and take another photo before I had so much done!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dMMAmoPf0B0/TgKpKGc1cCI/AAAAAAAAACA/Scz5E1rBab0/s1600/bruner3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dMMAmoPf0B0/TgKpKGc1cCI/AAAAAAAAACA/Scz5E1rBab0/s320/bruner3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621241275907141666" border="0"></a><br />And here's the final! This was the first time I worked with wet reflections in sand. So fun! I think I need to do another like this.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aMUcN2HxJw0/TgKpb7ozhRI/AAAAAAAAACI/dJ1Uhznk3Ss/s1600/bruner4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 233px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aMUcN2HxJw0/TgKpb7ozhRI/AAAAAAAAACI/dJ1Uhznk3Ss/s320/bruner4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621241582242202898" border="0"></a><br /><br />Susan Windsorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098533498749471773noreply@blogger.com2